Pressure lubricating system and apparatus



Nov. 29, 1927. 1,651,218

H. J. MURPHY PRESSURE LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original FiledFeb. 1, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor.- jfowawi cljfarphy,

M W Vow- Nov. 29, 1927. 1,651,218

H. J. MURPHY PRESSURE LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original FiledFeb. 1, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor.- Howavd (11710708 19,

' showin Patented Nov. 29, 1927.

i ire HOWARD J. MURPHY, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE 'IBASSICK MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

PRESSURE LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

Original application filed February 1, 1923, Serial No. 616,302. PatentNo. 1,637,236, dated July 26, 1927.

Divided and this application filed February 11, 1925.

This invention pertains to improvements in pressure lubricating systemsand apparatus of the type wherein a single lubricantexpelling element isadapted successively to engage a plurality of lubricant-receivingnipples. It is among the objects of the invention to provide a pressurelubricating system simple in construction and eflicient in operation.

The application is a division of my prior application, Serial No.616,302, filed February 1st, 1923.

In the drawings, which show preferred forms of my invention:

Figure l is a side elevation of a lubricantexpelling gun;

Fig. 2 is a central, longitudinal section through the nozzle of the gunshown in Fig. 1, with the lubricant-receiving nipple partially engagedin said nozzle, being partly in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the lubricant-receivingelement fully entered in the nozzle and with the valve in the nozzleopened to permit discharge of lubricant;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5.5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 includes side and end elevations of the preferred form of sealinwasher to prevent leakage of lubricant tween the nozzle .and nipple,while lubricant is supplied to the latter under pressure;

Fig. 7 includes a side and end elevation of a part of the nozzle,providing a valve seat, an abutment for engagement by the head of thenipple and a part for holding the sealing washer in position;

Fig. 8 includes a longitudinal section, through a preferred form ofnipple and an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the nipple a section of the preferred formof protecting cap therefor;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9, being partly inelevation;

Figs. 11 through 19 illustrate a later de velopment of my inventionwherein:

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a lubricantexpe ling gun;

Fig. 12 is a central, longitudinal section Serial No. 8,586.

through the nozzle of the gun shown in Fig. 11, with thelubricant-receiving nipple partially engaged in said nozzle, beingpartly in elevation, showing a triple thread on the nipple, and a valveand valve seat held in assembled relation independently of the nozzlesleeve;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, but showing thelubricant-receiving nipple fully entered in the nozzle and with thevalve in the nozzle opened to permit discharge of lubricant;

Fig. 14 is a section on the line 1 114 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a section on the line 1515 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a section on the line 16-16 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a section on the line 1717 of Fig. 13, the valve and s ringomitted;

Fig. 18 includes a si e and two end elevations of a part of the nozzle,providing a valve seat, an abutment for engagement by the head of thenipple, a part for holdin the sealing washer in position, and adapte tohold the valve in assembled relation independently of the nozzle sleeve;and

Fig. 19 includes a section and an end elevation of a triple threadnipple.

In bot-h forms of my invention illustrated, I have shownlubricant-receiving nipples presenting plural threads for engagementwith cooperatin threads on the nozzle of a lubricant-ex e ling gun, thethread shown in the first em odiment of m invention being double. In thelater em diment, such thread is triple, to provide for coupling withless turning of the gun, to provide easier initial engagement of thethreads and to provide, under high pressure in the gun, for theinitiation of uncoupling movement and closure of the valve, by pressureof the lubricant in the barrel when torque is not applied, and thisquite independently of any manual turning of the gun in uncouplingdirection.

In both embodiments of my invention, I have provided the nipple at thelubricantsecuring end with a generally cylindrical projection suflicientto support the gun, when the threads of the nozzle are passed over theprojection, and to prevent possible mutilation of the threads of eitherthe mpple or nozzle. Cooperating with each embodiment of my invention, Ihave shown above the nipple-engaging threads in the nozzle, an aligningportion for engagement with the end of the cylindrical portion on thenipple pr1or to engagement of the cooperating male and female threads,thereby to oppose crossthreading or other injurious engagement of suchthreads. I prefer, as shown, that this aligning portion be a washerimmediately above the female threads in the end of the nozzle andimmediately below a sealing part of the hat washer type, such sealingpart adapted to surround the cylindrical portion of the cooperatinnipple and to be pressed thereagainst byt e pressure of the lubrlcant.In both embodiments of my invention illustrated, this hat washer is heldin position by bein pressed against an overlying annular en by pressureproduced by screwing on the nozzle sleeve which carries or provides thefemale threaded portlon of the coupling.

. While for some purposes the valve need not be removable except fromthe interior of the head of the gun, I prefer that it be removableindependently of the head of the gun, and to this end I have shown inboth embodiments of my invention illustrated a valve seat which holdsthe valve assembled and which is removable from the front of the head ofthe gun. This valve seat may provide the annular end holding the hatwasher in position, and also may conveniently provide an abutment tolimit the entrance of the nipple within the nozzle, which may in somedegree act as a seal against the end of the nipple, though I prefer toavoid the use of any yielding gasket at this point and rely primarily onthe hat washer to prevent leakage.

I will now describe in detail the form of my invention shown in Figures1 through of the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1 through 10 of the drawings, and to the first form ofmy invention selected for illustrative purposes, I have shown alubricant-expelling gun including a barrel 11, rear head 12, into whichis threaded a plunger stem 13 carrying the usual plunger interiorly ofthe barrel 11, and a handle 14. At the discharge end of the gun, I haveshown a front head 15 secured to threads 16 to the exterior of thebarrel 11 and presenting a recess 17 into which is introduced asharpened end edge of the barrel 11. to provide a tight seal between thehead 15 and barrel 11. The preferred form of front head hereinillustrated includes a forwardly projecting portion 18 exteriorlythreaded at 19 to engage with internal threads on a nozzle sleeve 20.The nozzle sleeve 20 carries, preferably integral therewith, femalethreads 21, preferably of steep pitch and herein shown as double, to

scribed, a sealing washer 2 1, a valve seat.

portion and a sealing disc 26. The front head 15 is cored to receive avalve having a polygonal portion whose corners enga e the rounded innerwall of the valve guide chamber 31, the valve being pressed forwardlytoward its seat by a valve spring 32' bearing at one end against thefront head and at' the other against the valve. The seating portion 33ofthe valve is shown in Fig. 2 as bearing against the valve seat on thepart 25. while in Fig. 3 these parts are separated to permit passage oflubricant. The valve opening end 34 may be slotted at 35 to permitpassage of the lubr1-- cant to the lubricant-receiving opening in theend of the lubricant-receiving nipple. Such lubricant-receiving openingis preferably ordinarly closed by a ball check 36, which may be openedby the pressure of the lubricant, being normally pressed toward its seatby a nipple spring 37 Assuming the parts carried by the front head 15 tobe disassembled, the method of assembling the first embodiment of myinvention illustrated is as follows. The valve part 30 with the valvespring 32 assembled therewith is dropped into the valve guide chamber31. The aligning part, the sealing washer 24, the valve seat part 25 andsealing disc 26 may then be dropped in the order named within the nozzlesleeve 20, and the nozzle sleeve 20 screwed onto the projecting end 18of the front head. When the screwing together of these parts iscompleted, the assembling operation is completed. Assuming the barrel 11to be filled with lubricant, and assuming the lubricant-receiving nippleto be secured to its carrying part on the apparatus to be lubricated asby screwing the threaded end thereof into a correspondingly threadedaperture, the lubricant -expelling gun may be grasped by the handle 1 1and the nozzle thereof introduced over the smooth end 51 of thelubricant-receiving nipple, which, contacting with the inner surface ofthe female threads on the nipple, will guide the nozzle until the end ofthe nipple enters the aligning part, herein shown as a washer. Thisaligning part has an aperture fitting the exterior of the smooth end ofthe nipple sufliciently closely normally to preclude cross-threading ofthe male threads on the nipple with the female threads on the nozzle.The relatively steep pitch threads, double in the first embodiment of myinvention, are very strong and render engagement easy and rapid, thoughthe triple threads shown in the second embodiment of my invention aresuperior not only in these respects but in other respects lVhere thebarrel hereinafter referred to. of the gun rigidly carries the nozzle,the end 51 of the nipple and the threads of the nozzle are sufficient tocan the weight of the gun, though full of lubricant, and wheresufficient entrance of the nipple is effected to provide entrance of thehead thereof within the aligning part, sufficient bearing is providednot only to hold this weight but to provide substantial alignment eventhough the tendency to bind is increased by trans verse pressure of theoperators hand on the end of the barrel or handle, in a positionproviding of course a leverage very unfavorable to alignment of theparts.

If now, the handle 14 be turned in clockwise direction, the wholelubricant-expelling gun will be turned in clockwise direction so thatthe female threads 21 on the nozzle will engage the male threads 22 onthe nipple and draw the nozzle over the nipple, forcing the smoothportion 51 of the nipple through the flexible sealing washer 24, thelatter being of the type generally known as a hat washer. lVhen thisscrewing together operation has been carried to a suflicient point, theprojection 34 on the valve in the nozzle will abut against thelubricant-receiving end of the nipple and the valve will be opened, asshown in Fig. 3, until the end of the nipple abuts against the stopshoulder 55. The valve now being opened, further clockwise movement ofthe handle of the gun will force lubricant past the valve, therebyopening the ball check 36 and permitting passage of lubricant to thepart to be lubricated.

The lubricant expelled may, if desired, be under great pressure, but nosubstantial leakage between the nipple 51 and the nozzle is possiblebecause pressure on the exterior of the hat washer holds the latter insuch close contact to the smooth cylindrical portion of the nipple as topreclude leakage. N o leakage past the threads 19 takes lace because thesealing washer 26, which is preferably of relatively soft metal such asbrass, precludes such leakage. In the first embodiment of my invention,all parts of the nozzle except the sealing washer 26 are preferably ofsteel and the nozzle sleeve 20 and valve seat part 25 are preferablycase hardened.

\Vhen the lubricant-expelling gun is to be removed from the nipple,turning of the handle 14 in counterclockwise direction will Withdraw thenozzle from over the nipple, gradually permitting closure of the valve.The valve reaches its seat before the hat washer 24 is clear of thecylindrical portion 51 of the nipple and all pressure on the nipple isrelieved by enlargement of the chamber between the head of the nippleand valve before there is any opportunity afforded for leakage. Ipreferably provide a relatively large aperture 60 behind the hat leather24, not only to admit pressure behind the leather to insure a tightseal, but also, where a relatively light lubricant such as oil is usedas distinguished from grease, to catch surplus oil passing through thevalve durin the instant when valve-closing operation is taking place.

That portion of the nipple presenting the steep pitch threads 22 ispreferably. provided with flattened portions 61, 61 to admit of theapplication of a suitable wrench to screw the nipple into its carryingpart. The nipple is also preferably provided with a neck 62 forengagement by suitable means associated with a dust-excluding cap 63which may be formed of a single sheet of metal, as shown in Fig. 9,enclosing a resilient ring-like spring 64 for engagement in said neck 62when the cap is fully applied to the nipple. The skirt portion 65protects the threads of the nipple from dust and mud, while an enlargedhead 66 provides a finger hold permitting easy removal.

In the later embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 11 through 19,the operation of the parts is generally the same as in the firstembodiment thereof. There are, however, substantial advantages. Thetriple thread provides easier engagement than the double thread, and thesteeper pitch reduces the turning necessary to effect coupling andopening of the valve, while also providing (at higher pressures)automatic initiation of uncoupling movement (when torque is removed) tothe point where the valve has closed, this arising from the pressure ofthe lubricant on the valve pressing the nozzle away from the nipple withsufficient force to overcome the friction on the threads between thenozzle and nipple. The aligning or centering portion 101 is the same asin the earlier figures, and provides a seat for a similar hat washer.The valve seat 102 and parts associated therewith are held in positionindependently of the nozzle sleeve 103, being screwed to the front head104, which it is obvious may if desired be integral with the barrel ofthe gun. Thus the hat leather may, if desired, be replaced withoutdisturbing the valve parts. The valve 105 differs from the one earlierdescribed in that means are provided to preclude turning thereof on itsseat, such means preferably including a rearwardly extendingnon-circular portion 106, herein shown as flattened on one side 107 toengage a flattened side 108 (Fig. 17) of a guiding hole in the head 104,while the grease may pass to the valve proper through suitable aperturestypified by the lateral groove 109. With this construction, the valveand valve seat may be assembled with the front head and a very superiorfit provided merely by pounding lightly on the rear end of the stem 106.This seat, once provided, will be ti ht so long as the valve seat 102 isnot su sequently turned, and there is normally no occaslon forsubsequently turning this.

While I have shown and described specific embodiments of my invention,it will be understood that considerable changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, which is best defined in the followingclaims,

I claim- 1. A lubricant-receivingnipple comprising, in combination, abody having a threaded portion adjacent its discharge end for engagementwith a nipple-supporting part, said body having its portion of greatestdiameter adjacent the center of the nipple, said portion of greatestdiameter presenting relatively rugged, steep pitch triple threads, andsaid body adjacent the lubricant-receiving end of the nipple having aportion pre-. senting a relatively smooth peripheral surface ofsuflicient length for engagement with -a sealing washer on a cooperatingnipple-engaging gun.

2. A. lubricant-receiving nipple comprising, in combination, a bodyhaving a threaded portion adjacent its discharge end for enga ement witha nipple-supporting part, said ody having its portion of greatestdiameter adjacent the centre of the nipple, said portion of'greatestdiameter presenting relatively rugged steep pitch threads, said threadspresenting flattened portions for engagement by a wrench, and said bodyadjacent the lubricant-receiving end of the nipple having a portionpresenting a relatively smooth peripheral surface of sufficient lengthfor engagement with a sealing washer on a cooperating nipple-engaginggun.

senting diametrically opposite flattened portions for engagement by awrench.

4. A lubricant receiving nipple for use in injecting grease or oil underrelatively high pressure into machine bearings having a body providedwith an open ended, longitudinal bore, the lateral walls of said bodybeing imperforate, said bore having a valve therein, said body beingspun over to form aseat for said valve facing inwardly of said bore,said bore also having therein a helical spring in en agement wth saidvalve, said spring exten ing substantially to the other end of saidbore, said bore at the last mentioned end being spun over to provide anannular shoulder forming an abutment for said spring, said spring beingso constructed as to be under initial tension when in engagement withsaid shoulder and said valve, said body at one end thereof being formedwith exterior threads for engagement with cooperating internal threadson a lubricant receiving orifice, said nipple at theopposite end thereofbeing formed with an exterior cylindrical surface of material length andwith a substantially flat end face, said nipple at an intermediateportion thereof being formed with rugged, steep pitched, triple screwthreads for engagement with a coupling member. said screw threadedportion being {littened for engagement by a wrench or the Intestimony-whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HOWARD J. MURPHY.

